Adjustable cab isolator bracket

Abstract

An adjustable cab isolator bracket is provided for adjusting the height of an isolated cab of a locomotive. Alternatively, the adjustable bracket may adjust spring loading of an isolated locomotive cab. The adjustable cab isolator bracket generally comprises a spring retainer adapted to engage a spring and mountable to the underframe, and a bracket body for receiving and engaging the spring retainer and mountable to the cab. The adjustable bracket may further be fixed to the isolated locomotive cab. In this arrangement, the bracket body is adapted to receive and engage at least a portion of the spring retainer. The engagement between the spring retainer and the bracket body is adaptable to selectively adjust a portion of the spring retainer to be received by the bracket body in relation to a spring, thereby adjusting cab height or spring loading in relation to the underframe.

1. A cab isolator bracket adjusting height of an isolated locomotive cab mounted to an underframe, said cab isolator bracket comprising:
 a spring retainer having a cylindrical body that has an inner area retaining a portion of a spring and an outer periphery including threads, said spring being positioned to engage said underframe, and 
 a bracket body mounted to said isolated locomotive cab, said bracket body having an inner periphery including threads adapted to receive and engage the threads of at least a portion of the outer periphery of said spring retainer, wherein the spring retainer is configured to rotate into the bracket body to selectively adjust a portion of the spring retainer received by the bracket body in relation to the spring thereby adjusting cab height in relation to said underframe. 
 
     
     
       2. The cab isolator bracket of  claim 1  wherein the spring retainer further includes a height indicator for indicating the height of the locomotive cab. 
     
     
       3. The cab isolator bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the height indicator further includes a warning indicator for indicating that a maximum or minimum height has been reached. 
     
     
       4. The cab isolator bracket of  claim 1  further comprising a securing member for securing the spring retainer to the bracket body. 
     
     
       5. The cab isolator bracket of  claim 4 , wherein the securing member locks the spring retainer into position after cab height adjustment. 
     
     
       6. The cab isolator bracket of  claim 4 , wherein the securing member is a locking bolt. 
     
     
       7. The cab isolator bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the spring retainer further includes an aperture for receiving a ratchet for adjusting the height of the spring therein. 
     
     
       8. The cab isolator bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the spring retainer defines an aperture for receiving a ratchet extension, wherein rotation of the ratchet extension causes rotation of the spring retainer into and out of the bracket body. 
     
     
       9. A cab isolator bracket adjusting spring loading of an isolated locomotive cab mounted to an underframe, said cab isolator bracket comprising:
 a spring retainer having a cylindrical body having an inner area retaining a portion of a spring and having an outer periphery including threads, and 
 a bracket body having an inner periphery including threads that receive and engage the threads of at least a portion of the outer periphery of said spring retainer, wherein the spring retainer is configured to rotate into the bracket body to selectively adjust a portion of the spring retainer received by the bracket body in relation to the spring thereby adjusting spring loading. 
 
     
     
       10. The cab isolator bracket of  claim 9 , wherein the adjustment of loading of the spring causes an adjustment in height of the isolated locomotive cab in relation to the underframe of a locomotive, where the cab is mounted to the underframe and the spring engages the underframe. 
     
     
       11. The cab isolator bracket of  claim 9 , wherein the spring retainer further includes an aperture for receiving a ratchet, which engages the spring retainer and causes rotation thereof thereby adjusting the loading of the spring.